Saturday, January 18, 2014

Ostpolitik: Looking Peace in the East

Germany, 1969 –
the German nation was divided for over two decades. The Adenauer era already
ended six years ago. Two chancellor had come to power, Ludwig Erhard and Kurt
Kiesinger. The Cold War was still raging. Just a year before, in 1968, Soviet
aggression was demonstrated in its invasion of Czechoslovakia. The world feared
for a new era of Soviet menace. The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), under
its new Chancellor, the once Mayor of West Berlin, Willy Brandt, instead of
making a hard stand against the Eastern Communist bloc, decided to engage them
under his foreign policy known as the Eastern Policy or Ostpolitik.The
Ostpolitik was the legacy of the German Chancellor Willy Brandt. He announced
it as he assumed the chancellery in 1969. It was a deviation, if not the
abandonment of the so-calledHallstein Doctrine. It aimed in conducting closer relation with its eastern communist
neighbors, including its rival, the German Democratic Republic (GDR).The
idea of engaging with the communist, however, already began after Adenauer left
office. During the chancellorship of Erhard and Kiesinger, the FRG sent
missions to some communist countries: Poland, Hungary, and Romania. One of the
supporters that brought this sudden change was the Foreign Minister of Kurt
Kiesinger who was no other than Willy Brandt. Brandt succeeded in engaging with
Romania and Yugoslavia.Then
in 1969, Brandt won the elections and became the Chancellor. Brandt ran under the
Social Democratic Party (SPD) and snatched the high position from the ruling
party, the dominated politics from 1949 - the Christian Democratic Union. Brandt further cemented his
position when he entered to a coalition with another party, the Free Democratic
Party (FDP). Brandt made the FDP leader, Walter Scheel as his foreign minister
and together they initiated the Eastern Policy or the Ostpolitik.The
intention of the Ostpolitik was to bring the idea of Détente, or easing of
tensions, to Europe. As a former Mayor of West Berlin, Brandt knew well the
dangerous condition of Berliners. The dangers of being surrounded by a hostile communist state that any time could block the supplies of the city. Or worst, the threat of invasion or military attacks were high. As chancellor he also aimed to alleviate
these dangers. The Ostpolitik also demonstrated that the FRG was an independent
state. Along with it was the independence of policy making. Lastly, the main focus of
the policy was to achieve the long desired reunification of Germany.

The
idea of engaging the communist was aimed to bring independence laid on the principle
of security. The Soviets would not agree to the unification of Germany because of their fear that it would bring North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces closer to
Poland and then Russia. But if the Russians and the whole Warsaw Pact knew that
the FRG would not be a threat, they would eventually agree for a reunification
of Germany. It was a long shot that Brandt thought.When
the Ostpolitik began, it received mixed reaction from home and abroad. Some NATO members, in particular, France and the United
States, showed concerns over the policy. They thought that Germany could be
vulnerable to communist influence. The Soviets showed delight from the policy.
The Ostpolitik allowed the Soviets to engage with West Germany in order to
counter China’s strengthening of relations with the west after the Sino-Soviet
Split. It was also an opportunity for the USSR to drive a wedge between NATO
members. Meanwhile, in the domestic front, the conservative CDU, who were in
opposition, criticized the policy and commented that it would prolong the
division of Germany. On the other side of the border, the GDR welcomed the
Ostpolitik as long as it would lead to the recognition of the communist state
of East Germany. Besides diplomatic and political reasons, GDR’s leader Walter
Ulbricht needed good relations with the west in order to attain aids for his
push for development of high technology industries.In
1970, relations between the two Germanies had improved when two high level
inter-Germany meetings occured. In March of 1970, Willy Brandt visited Erfurt
in East Germany and met the Prime Minister of East Germany, Willi Stoph. Following
the March summit, Willi Stoph then visited Kassel in West Germany to hold
another historic summit with Willy Brandt. Following the two summits,
cooperation between the two Germany improved.Turning
attention to other communist states, West Germany's relation with the USSR improved. In August of 1970, the Treaty of Moscow was signed. The
Treaty ensured non-aggression in resolving issues. Status quo, including the
existence of the GDR, was also to be maintained. The Soviets gave concessions
by supporting the rights of Germans for reunification, which the Ostpolitik's goal. It also opened the door
for negotiations for the status of West Berlin.Few
months after the Treaty of Moscow, in December of 1970, Chancellor Willy Brandt
visited Warsaw, Poland. During his visit, he made his iconic gesture of
kneeling in front of a monument for the Jewish victims of World War II. A
Treaty of Warsaw was also forged. Under the Treaty, Germany would recognize the
borders before the invasion of Poland in World War II and accepted the
Oder-Neisse Line. Furthermore, besides borders, Poland also allowed Germans to
emigrate to either East or West Germany as long as they follow the Polish
emigration laws.

Brandt kneeling in Warsaw

Following
on to their promise to negotiate for the status of Berlin, the USSR conducted a
summit with the United States, United Kingdom, and France to deal issues
concerning Berlin in September 1971. A Quadripartite Agreement was agreed by
the participants. They agreed that West Berlin should be represented
internationally. The Soviets also assured the allies that they would not
disrupt movement and communication between West Berlin and West Germany. They
agreed that disruption of these communications and movements would not be used
to gain advantage of the other. Importantly, the four powers would not use any
force but rather use negotiations to resolve issues.In
addition to the Treaty, East Germany’s new leader, Erich Honnecker allowed some
concessions for West Berliners and East Germans in May 1972. He allowed West
Berliners to visit the GDR only if it was under family emergency cases. He also
allowed GDR citizens to visit West Berlin and West Germany if it was under
family emergency as well.Eventually,
one of the visible effects of the Ostpolitik was during the 1972 Olympic Games.
The Summer Olympics was conducted in the West German city of Munich. Many
communist states sent their representatives to join the games. It saved the games from the smear of massive boycotts that usually happened.However,
one of the most iconic treaty of the Ostpolitik unfolded in December of 1972
when the Basic Treaty between the FRG and the GDR was signed. Under the
inter-Germany Basic Treaty, the two Germany renounced the use of force to
resolve problems and tensions. Both Germanies would respect the authority and
the independence of the other. The two Germanies would also renounced
representing the other internationally. Exchange of missions were also to be
conducted. However, to the disappointment of the GDR, the FRG refused to
officially recognize the East German state.The
treaty might be a landmark, however the CDU in the Bundestag or the West German
legislature showed concern and opposition on the ratification of the treaty.
They feared that it would prolong the painful division of Germany because of
the coming recognition of the GDR by many countries. Indeed many countries did
recognized the GDR after the signing of the Basic Treaty. Later on, the
Bundestag ratified the treaty only after a general election a year after.After
the signing of the Basic Treaty, the relation between the FRG with its East
German neighbor and other communist bloc nations continued to develop. The two Germany
joined the United Nations on September 1973 together. Following good relations with the
GDR, the communist Czechoslovakia also conducted relations with the FRG and
resulted for the conclusion of the Treaty of Prague. Under the Treaty, the 1938
Munich Agreement that dissolved Czechoslovakia was nulled and void. The treaty
also renounced Germany’s claim to the Sudetenland and blocked any chance of
Anschluss or Austria joining Germany. Following the Prague Treaty, embassies of
the FRG was established in Bulgaria and Hungary. By September 1973, West
Germany enjoyed relations with almost all of the countries in Europe.The
Ostpolitik helped Europe to move away from tension and enter a period of
cooperation. The testament to this was during the conclusion of the Helsinki
Accord, establishing status quo and security across Europe.The
success of the Ostpolitik would be profound, however, to its perpetrator, Willy
Brandt, it was not a good ending. In 1974, Chancellor Willy Brandt resigned
from his post. It was after his secretary was discovered to be an East German
spy. The Ostpolitik, nevertheless, continued even after Brandt was out of office.
When the CDU, an ardent critic of the Ostpolitik, returned to power with
Helmuth Schmidt, they continued the policy and eventually led to reunification
in 1990. Other countries that were divided were also inspired by the
Ostpolitik. For instance, South Korean President Roh Tae-woo used a variation of
the Ostpolitik called theNordpolitikor Northern Policy to engage with the
communist states.